Zen Journal Privacy Policy
Last updated: March 20, 2026
Overview
Zen Journal is a private, offline-first journaling app. We are committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what data we collect (almost none), how your data is stored, and your rights.
Data We Collect
We do not collect, transmit, or store any personal data on our servers.
All your journal entries, settings, and preferences are stored exclusively on your device. Zen Journal has no backend servers, no user accounts, and no cloud synchronization.
Specifically:
- Journal entries — encrypted with AES-256-GCM and stored locally in an on-device SQLite database. We cannot read your entries.
- Encryption key — derived from a 12-word mnemonic phrase and stored in your device's secure enclave (iOS Keychain / Android Keystore), protected by biometric authentication. We never have access to your key.
- Mnemonic phrase — generated on your device and shown to you once during setup. It is not stored in the app or transmitted anywhere. You are solely responsible for keeping it safe.
- Breathwork & audio preferences — stored locally on your device.
- Sound library files — audio files are downloaded to your device for offline use. No listening data or usage analytics are collected.
- Mood data — stored locally as part of your encrypted journal entries.
Data We Do NOT Collect
- No names, emails, phone numbers, or account information
- No location data
- No usage analytics or telemetry
- No advertising identifiers
- No third-party tracking or cookies
- No crash reports transmitted to us
Encryption
Your journal entries are protected with military-grade encryption:
- AES-256-GCM encryption for all journal content
- PBKDF2 SHA-256 key derivation (100,000 iterations)
- Unique IV (initialization vector) generated per entry
- Biometric protection via your device's secure hardware
Even if someone gains physical access to your device's storage, your entries remain unreadable without biometric authentication.
Import & Export
Zen Journal allows you to export encrypted backups and import them on the same or another device. Backup files are encrypted with your encryption key. Without your 12-word mnemonic phrase, backup files cannot be decrypted.
Third-Party Services
Zen Journal does not integrate with any third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services. The app operates entirely offline.
The only external connections the app may make:
- Audio file downloads — when you download sounds from the built-in library, files are fetched from our content server. No personal data is sent with these requests.
Children's Privacy
Zen Journal does not knowingly collect any data from children under 13. Since the app collects no personal data whatsoever, it is safe for users of all ages.
Data Retention & Deletion
Since all data is stored on your device:
- Delete the app to remove all journal data, settings, and downloaded audio files.
- Use the "Start Fresh" option in Settings to reset all data within the app.
- We retain no data on any server, so there is nothing for us to delete.
Your Rights
Because Zen Journal stores no data on our servers:
- There is no data to request, export, or delete from us.
- You have full ownership and control of your data at all times.
- You can export your encrypted data at any time using the built-in backup feature.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected in the app and on our website. The "Last updated" date at the top indicates the most recent revision.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at: